Laughing..!

[quotefanatic]

Hello,

Yet to be diagnosed, see an ms nuero periodically, and have had symptoms for almost two full years now (daily).

Well, recently I've developed something.. and I'm not even sure it's a symptom.. I don't know what it is.
Several times throughout the day, I will start laughing uncontrollably. This is often at inappropriate times, and seems on occasion to be triggered by stress. Other times - it's completely random.

It's loud, and sudden, and not controllable really. My parents and friends keep looking at me very strangely.. and my mother thinks it's not even something to talk to my nuero about..

This is not exactly the kind of thing I want to leave alone, as I literally started in the classroom the other day..!

Anyone ever experience this??

[Sequoia]

It sounds like pseudobulbar affect (also called emotional lability). PBA can be a symptom of MS, but it can also be a symptom of other neurological disorders such as Lupus and ALS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudobulbar_affect.

There's a medication called Nuedexta that helps some people with PBA.

I'd say definitely talk to your neuro about what you've been experiencing.

[kingrex]

As an MRI tech, the term I see most commonly from neurologists in describing this is "giddiness." I have never been aware of what specifically they were looking for, but Sequoia provided some good info. Anyway, your neurologist won't blow it off if you describe it as you have here.


rex

[gomer]

By all means, DO tell your neuro!

Gomer

[mjan]

Oddly this happened to me during a weird virus I got @15yo=went from crying for hours to laughing for NO reason!! WEIRD!!

Then just recently went to a MS conference and the MS doc (who conducts lots of research too) mentioned this as a symptom.

TELL your doctor ok hon?

Hugs, Jan

[KatieDidNOT]

Yes, I have this (except I cry) and my MS Specialist knows about it...I use to call it Montel Syndrome, because he always crys...he has it too.

My specialists said it is very common in MS patients. It is embarrassing.

Katie